San Francisco 49ers – Page 2 – Syndication Server

What to make of Christian McCaffrey’s absence from 49ers practice

Christian McCaffrey wasn’t in practice Wednesday, but there’s no real cause for concern.

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey sat out the team’s practice Wednesday in the lead up to a Week 12 showdown with the Green Bay Packers.

This is a slight departure from McCaffrey’s routine during his first two weeks back with the club after a nine-week absence due to Achilles tendinitis. During those first two weeks he was a limited participant in practice Wednesday and Thursday before getting a full practice in Friday.

Wednesday of Week 12 was a little different. The 49ers listed McCaffrey as a non-participant. His Achilles injury is still listed, but they also specified that his absence was for rest and was not injury related.

It makes sense that the team would rest McCaffrey given his workload in a Week 11 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. He played 59 snaps and notched 19 carries along with four receptions. The 23 touches were four more than his 19 the week prior.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan indicated the team plans to continue utilizing McCaffrey as much as possible in games, so an additional day off during the week would behoove a team trying to manage an Achilles issue for its superstar running back.

Chances are McCaffrey is back Thursday and ready to suit up Sunday against the Green Bay Packers.

If he isn’t back Thursday, there may be a bigger issue. For now, his absence is simply a rest day.

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49ers biggest cause for concern vs. Packers is familiar flaw in 2024

The Packers biggest strength this year is one of the 49ers biggest weaknesses.

Finding one clear issue with the San Francisco 49ers this season is nigh impossible. They’ve been plagued by a slew of problems throughout their 5-5 start.

All of those shortcomings have culminated one overarching flaw: the 49ers can’t close games.

They’ve had fourth quarter leads in three of their five defeats, and four of their five losses have been by one score. Their inability to finish games could rear its head again Sunday in a crucial matchup with the Green Bay Packers.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan on Wednesday in a press conference was asked about Brock Purdy’s up-and-down season, and used it as an opportunity to identify why the team’s inability to close teams out could be a problem in Green Bay.

“And to me that’s come all the way down to how we finish games,” Shanahan said. “And we’ve had four games here that have come down to the last two possessions and we’ve only won one of those. And that’s the difference between eight-and-two and five-and-five with the one we won being Tampa. In contrast, you look at a team like Green Bay, they’ve had seven games come down to the last possession and they’ve won six of them, with the only one they lost being the opening game versus Philly. And that’s why they have such a good record.”

The only Packers games to not be decided by one score this year were a 30-14 blowout win over the Tennessee Titans, a 34-13 win over the Arizona Cardinals, and a 24-14 loss to the Detroit Lions.

Their close wins involved blocking a Chicago Bears field goal last week and getting a walk-off field goals vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans the two weeks prior. Their 24-19 win against the Los Angeles Rams saw their defense hold late after LA got down inside the Packers 40.

Their penchant for winning close games has helped them hold the No. 6 seed in the NFC, two games ahead of San Francisco.

If the 49ers can figure out a way to get and hold a late lead against Green Bay on Sunday it would go a long way toward helping them get back on the path to a playoff berth. The problem is they’ve yet to show that ability this season, and failing to do so again Sunday could put them well outside the playoff picture with only six games to go.

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49ers breakout offensive star quickly became an afterthought

Don’t expect Jordan Mason to be involved more in the offense any time soon.

The San Francisco 49ers appear to be falling into a pattern where they’re leaving good players on the sideline since running back Christian McCaffrey returned.

In McCaffrey’s absence, RB Jordan Mason posted 685 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns on 134 carries. Over that eight-game stretch he averaged 5.11 yards per rush, which is tied for the seventh-best mark in the NFL. He ran for more than 100 yards thrice, and the only time he ran for fewer than 58 yards was the Week 8 game vs. the Dallas Cowboys where he exited with an injury after only six carries.

Now that McCaffrey has returned, Mason has reverted to being an offensive afterthought. In the two games with McCaffrey in the lineup Mason has played only five snaps and received three carries for 18 yards.

It appeared through eight weeks that Mason had proven to be enough of a weapon that the 49ers could lean on him more once McCaffrey returned. Mason could not only spell McCaffrey to help manage his Achilles injury, but he could offer some explosive play potential with a different running style than the starter.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan doesn’t appear to be planning on adding more to Mason’s workload any time soon.

“Yeah, I like all those guys playing,” Shanahan said. “But it depends on the situation, depends how many times you’re getting the ball, it depends on the drives, it depends if we’re going to put two backs out there. When you do two backs, then you’ve got to take either a big off or another receiver. But I’m not always thinking of how to get Christian off.”

There’s potential for Shanahan to operate with McCaffrey and Mason (or rookie fourth-round pick Isaac Guerendo) on the field together, and he acknowledged as much in Wednesday’s press conference. However, he didn’t sound eager to make that personnel grouping part of the offense.

Instead we’ll likely see more of what we saw a season ago. When McCaffrey is healthy, he’s going to be on the field and the 49ers are going to rely on him to be their go-to playmaker. That appears to be the case no matter what kind of wrinkle another RB on the sideline might be able to add to the offense.

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How to buy San Francisco 49ers vs. Green Bay Packers NFL Week 12 tickets

Want to watch the 49ers vs. Packers battle in person in Week 12? Tickets start as low as $148.

The San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers will do battle in a top-tier NFC clash during the NFL’s Week 12 slate.

Don’t miss out on your opportunity to check it out live.

The 49ers (5-5) entered the 2024 season as Super Bowl hopefuls. However, the Niners were upset at home by the Seattle Seahawks in Week 11 in a 20-17 final. The defeat puts San Francisco in the basement of the NFC West standings.

On the flip side, the Packers have a promising 7-3 record. Green Bay’s problem? The team resides in a tight-packed NFC North division which has the Detroit Lions (9-1) at the top. The Pack have to keep pace.

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The game kicks off on Sunday, Nov. 24, at 4:25 p.m. ET at Lambeau Field in Wisconsin.

Don’t miss out on your chance to see it in person. Act soon to catch this epic clash as only limited tickets are still available.

How to buy 49ers vs. Packers NFL tickets

On top of all of that, this is a rematch of 2023’s divisional-round matchup between these two which the 49ers took en route to their Super Bowl appearance.

The Packers will want to right that wrong against a Niners team desperate for a win.

At the time of publication, the cheapest available tickets for the San Francisco 49ers vs. Green Bay Packers are $148.

How to buy San Francisco 49ers vs. Green Bay Packers NFL Week 12 tickets

Want to watch the 49ers vs. Packers battle in person in Week 12? Tickets start as low as $148.

The San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers will do battle in a top-tier NFC clash during the NFL’s Week 12 slate.

Don’t miss out on your opportunity to check it out live.

The game kicks off on Sunday, Nov. 24, at 4:25 p.m. ET at Lambeau Field in Wisconsin.

Don’t miss out on your chance to see it in person. Act soon to catch this epic clash as only limited tickets are still available.

How to buy 49ers vs. Packers NFL tickets

On top of all of that, this is a rematch of 2023’s divisional-round matchup between these two which the 49ers took en route to their Super Bowl appearance.

The Packers will want to right that wrong against a Niners team desperate for a win.

At the time of publication, the cheapest available tickets for the San Francisco 49ers vs. Green Bay Packers are $148.

How to buy San Francisco 49ers vs. Green Bay Packers NFL Week 12 tickets

Want to watch the 49ers vs. Packers battle in person in Week 12? Tickets start as low as $148.

The San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers will do battle in a top-tier NFC clash during the NFL’s Week 12 slate.

Don’t miss out on your opportunity to check it out live.

The game kicks off on Sunday, Nov. 24, at 4:25 p.m. ET at Lambeau Field in Wisconsin.

Don’t miss out on your chance to see it in person. Act soon to catch this epic clash as only limited tickets are still available.

How to buy 49ers vs. Packers NFL tickets

On top of all of that, this is a rematch of 2023’s divisional-round matchup between these two which the 49ers took en route to their Super Bowl appearance.

The Packers will want to right that wrong against a Niners team desperate for a win.

At the time of publication, the cheapest available tickets for the San Francisco 49ers vs. Green Bay Packers are $148.

Seahawks to wear navy jersey/gray pants combo in Week 12

The all-important uniform news for the Seattle Seahawks is finally upon us! On Wednesday morning, the Seahawks announced via their Twitter page they will be wearing the navy jersey/gray pants combo. It will be the first time this season they have worn this particular combo, as all their previous home games this year have been the all-navy or throwback look.

Overall, the Seahawks are 7-6 all-time in this uniform set. They went 2-0 in this combo last year, including a 20-10 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. Fitting, since the Cardinals will be visiting Lumen Field on Sunday.

For the first time this season.

Our Week 12 uniform combo. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/r7ziYl3B13

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) November 20, 2024

Seattle first started wearing this combo at home during the 2021 season, a 30-23 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. Before this past weekend, that game was the last time the Seahawks had defeated the Niners.

As I mentioned earlier, Seattle went 2-0 in these uniforms last year. A win over the Cardinals, and a thrilling 29-26 win over the Washington Commanders. Currently, the Hawks are on a five-game winning streak over Arizona. Perhaps these uniforms can keep the good vibes going for another week.

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49ers to add familiar face at DE to practice squad per NFL insider

The 49ers are unsurprisingly adding some internal depth at DE.

The San Francisco 49ers are making a move to improve their defensive end depth.

NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero on Wednesday reported Jonathan Garvin is returning to San Francisco’s practice squad for the third time this season. He was released on Sept. 11 and re-signed to the practice squad in early October. He was released again in late October.

Now he’ll return to the 49ers’ 16-man practice roster. That group is full for San Francisco so there will be a corresponding move, but it’s unclear which player the 49ers will let go to make room for Garvin.

Adding internal depth at DE makes sense given San Francisco’s issues rushing the passer and a recent hip/oblique injury to DE Nick Bosa. Without Bosa the 49ers have leaned on Leonard Floyd, Yetur Gross-Matos, Sam Okuayinonu and Robert Beal. That group struggled late in the 49ers’ Week 11 loss to the Seattle Seahawks so the team may just be looking to add another body who can be added to the rotation if Bosa winds up missing time.

There’s no guarantee Bosa will be out for Week 12. Head coach Kyle Shanahan on Monday said there’s a chance the one-time Defensive Player of the Year will be able to suit up. If he can’t go, we may see Garvin up with the active roster for the first time this season.

Garvin has played in 38 games with one start across three seasons as a pro. He has 32 tackles and 1.5 sacks in the regular season. He posted three pressures and one quarterback hit in three preseason games for San Francisco this season.

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Seahawks CB Josh Jobe isn’t giving up separation

One of the biggest revelations of the 2024 Seattle Seahawks’ season to date has been the recent emergence of cornerback Josh Jobe. An undrafted free agent defensive back out of Alabama in 2022, Jobe initially joined the Seahawks’ practice squad in late August. He’s since maximized his opportunity to play meaningful snaps.

Injuries to Tre Brown and Riq Woolen catapulted Jobe into the starting lineup for a Week 7 blowout win over the Atlanta Falcons. Jobe’s play earned him another chance against the Buffalo Bills in Week 8. He became the first player to intercept superstar quarterback Josh Allen this campaign, since convincing head coach Mike Macdonald to promote him to full-time boundary starter opposite Woolen, relegating Brown to the bench.

Jobe was outstanding in Sunday’s critical 20-17 Week 11 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. In fact, Jobe has yet to have a game with over 1.6 yards of separation per target allowed, according to Next Gen Stats. As Corbin K. Smith pointed out via social media, that advanced metric indicates his coverage has been tight even on completed throws in his direction.

Per NFL Next Gen, Josh Jobe has yet to have a game with over 1.6 yards of separation per target for #Seahawks.

In other words, even if throws are completed on him, his coverage has been tight.

— Corbin K. Smith (@CorbinSmithNFL) November 19, 2024

Pro Football Focus credited Jobe with allowing just two receptions for 17 receiving yards against the 49ers. In a Week 9 defeat to the Los Angeles Rams, the ex Crimson Tide performer forfeited just one catch on four targets for 16 yards. Jobe hasn’t allowed a touchdown in coverage yet this season.

Jobe has also totaled three pass breakups. Opposing quarterbacks are seeing a passer rating of just 54.4 when targeting him in coverage. Finding quality starters in unlikely places helps propel NFL rosters forward. The Seahawks found an absolute gem in Jobe.

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Seahawks LB Ernest Jones IV has been force multiplier in the run game

The Seattle Seahawks were displeased with their linebacker play in the middle of the season. That’s precisely why general manager John Schneider and head coach Mike Macdonald decided to call an audible. The team acquired Ernest Jones IV in a trade with the Tennessee Titans in exchange for fellow linebacker Jerome Baker and a 2025 fourth-round pick.

Since then, the Seahawks have also released Tyrel Dodson. They began the campaign with Baker and Dodson at off-ball linebacker, and that duo has since been swapped out for Jones and day-three rookie Tyrice Knight. It appears to be a shrewd decision, particularly with Jones playing fantastic football against the San Francisco 49ers in Sunday’s critical Week 11 victory within the NFC West.

Jones recorded a team-high 13 tackles. A run defense that’s struggled with tackling and gap discipline at times this season limited 49ers superstar running back Christian McCaffrey to 79 rushing yards, zero touchdowns, and a pedestrian 4.2 yards per carry. Backup running back Jordan Mason, who played well in McCaffrey’s absence earlier this season, rushed for 13 yards via two carries.

“This defense, I look to my left and see. T-Knight [Tyrice Knight], I look behind me and I see ‘Spoon [Devon Witherspoon] and those safeties,” Jones said about the Seahawks’ defense following the 49ers victory. “We can go out there [as a defense] and play with anybody. We showed what we are. We played physically and with discipline. I think we can be something special,” Jones concluded.

Ernest Jones says he thinks Seahawks have a defense that can play with anyone. pic.twitter.com/rqotkDDR8D

— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) November 18, 2024

Jones’ evaluation of Seattle’s defense is accurate. Poor linebacker play and discipline at times held back Macdonald’s unit from reaching its capable productivity earlier this campaign. Jones has completely transformed the defense.

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